There will be only one (last) round of the Second Stage in Division A. Coincidentally all hosts won their games.

Akademik Sofia (8-1) recorded its first loss on the court of third ranked Levski 2014-2 on Monday night. Visitors were rolled over by Levski 2014-2 78-57. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in A. The hosts trailed by 10 points after three quarters before their 19-15 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Levski 2014-2 (6-3) moved-up to second place in A. Akademik Sofia at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Levski 2014-2 are looking forward to face Vidabasket (#6) in Vidin in the next round. Akademik Sofia will play on the road against Chavdar (#5) in Troyan and is hoping to win this game. Important game to mention about took place in Dolphin. Ninth ranked Dolphin (5-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Shumen (6-3) 77-75 on Sunday evening. Dolphin maintains ninth place in A with 5-4 record. Shumen at the other side keeps the eighth position with three games lost. Dolphin will play against CSKA (#11) in the next round. Shumen will play against Cherno More 2 and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Other games of round 9 were quite predictable and ended without any surprises. Here they are: In A Chavdar was crushed by UE Varna in a road game 99-77. Rilski 2 smashed Vidabasket at home 81-60. Dunav 2016 lost to Cherno More 2 on the opponent's court 74-78.

Places 1-6

Akademik Sofia (8-1) recorded its first loss on the court of third ranked Levski 2014-2 on Monday night. Visitors were rolled over by Levski 2014-2 78-57. It may be a crucial game in the contest for the top position in A. The hosts trailed by 10 points after three quarters before their 19-15 charge, which allowed them to win the game. Levski 2014-2 (6-3) moved-up to second place in A. Akademik Sofia at the other side still keeps top position with one game lost. Levski 2014-2 are looking forward to face Vidabasket (#6) in Vidin in the next round. Akademik Sofia will play on the road against Chavdar (#5) in Troyan and is hoping to win this game.

There was no surprise when 5th ranked Chavdar (2-7) was crushed on the road by third ranked UE Varna (6-3) 99-77. The game was mostly controlled by UE Varna. Chavdar was better in second period 25-21. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. UE Varna maintains third place in A with 6-3 record having just two points less than leader Cherno More 2. Chavdar at the other side keeps the fifth position with seven games lost. UE Varna will play against Rilski 2 (#4) in Samokov in the next round. Chavdar will play at home against the league's leader Akademik Sofia and hopes to get back on the winning track.

No shocking result in a game in Samokov where fourth ranked Rilski 2 (4-5) smashed 6th ranked Vidabasket (1-8) 81-60. The game was mostly controlled by Rilski 2. Vidabasket was better in second period 20-13. But it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Rilski 2 maintains fourth place in A with 4-5 record. Vidabasket at the other side keeps the sixth position with eight games lost. Rilski 2 will play against higher ranked UE Varna (#3) on the road in the next round and it will be quite challenging to get another victory. Vidabasket will play against the league's second-placed Levski 2014-2 to get more than just one victory in their record.

gschID: 534089

Places 7-12

Rather expected game in Varna where 10th ranked Dunav 2016 (4-5) was defeated by seventh ranked Cherno More 2 (8-1) 78-74. The hosts took control from the first minutes by winning the initial quarter 23-16. But Dunav 2016 won second period 16-10. However it was not enough to take a lead and get a victory that evening. Newly promoted Cherno More 2 maintains seventh place in A with 8-1 record. Dunav 2016 at the other side keeps the tenth position with five games lost. Cherno More 2 will play against Shumen (#8) on the road in the next round. Dunav 2016 will play against Akademik Varna and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Important game to mention about took place in Dolphin. Ninth ranked Dolphin (5-4) saved a 2-point victory at home edging 8th ranked Shumen (6-3) 77-75 on Sunday evening. Shumen was ahead by 6 points after three quarters before a 21-13 charge of Dolphin, which allowed them to win the game. Dolphin maintains ninth place in A with 5-4 record. Shumen at the other side keeps the eighth position with three games lost. Dolphin will play against CSKA (#11) in the next round. Shumen will play against Cherno More 2 and it may be a tough game between close rivals.

Socar Petkimspor (TBL) signed 31-year old Bulgarian power forward Kaloyan Ivanov (205-105kg-86, agency: BeoBasket). He has played for the last two seasons at Tofas in the BSL. In 31 games he had 10.3ppg, 4.3rpg and 2.1apg last season. TBL will be definitely a better match and he can see more playing time. Ivanov helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league. The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he won Turkish TBL championship title in... [read more]

Socar Petkimspor (TBL) signed 31-year old Bulgarian power forward Kaloyan Ivanov (205-105kg-86, agency: BeoBasket). He has played for the last two seasons at Tofas in the BSL. In 31 games he had 10.3ppg, 4.3rpg and 2.1apg last season. TBL will be definitely a better match and he can see more playing time. Ivanov helped them to end the regular season as a second best team in the league.The list of the past achievements is quite long as among others he won Turkish TBL championship title in 2016. Ivanov was also voted Eurobasket.com All-Italian SerieA Bosman Player of the Year back in 2014.He was also a member of Bulgarian international program for some years. Ivanov played for Bulgarian Senior National Team between 2001 and 2013 and previously for U20 National Team between 2005 and 2006.He also represented Bulgaria at the Qualifications to European Championships 2015 four years ago. His stats at that event were 8 games: 13.5ppg, 8.1rpg, 1.3apg, FGP: 46.4%, 3PT: 26.7%, FT: 74.4%.Ivanov is quite experienced player. He has played also professionally in Russia (Avtodor), Spain (Andorra, La ICL Manresa, Real Betis, Menorca and Meridiano Alicante), Ukraine (BC Donetsk), Bulgaria (Levski and Cherno More) and Italy (Scandone Avellino).

KK Rabotnicki AD Skopje (Prva Liga) landed 29-year old Bulgarian international shooting guard Chavdar Kostov (195-93kg-88, agency: Interperformances). He was about to sign at GS Kymis in Greek A1 league. The last season Kostov played also at Kymis (also in A1) where in 18 games he averaged 8.3ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.0spg. He has been also a member of Bulgarian international program for some years. Kostov has regularly played for Bulgarian senior team since 2007 and previously for U20 National T... [read more]

KK Rabotnicki AD Skopje (Prva Liga) landed 29-year old Bulgarian international shooting guard Chavdar Kostov (195-93kg-88, agency: Interperformances). He was about to sign at GS Kymis in Greek A1 league. The last season Kostov played also at Kymis (also in A1) where in 18 games he averaged 8.3ppg, 2.9rpg and 1.0spg.He has been also a member of Bulgarian international program for some years. Kostov has regularly played for Bulgarian senior team since 2007 and previously for U20 National Team between 2007 and 2008.He also represented Bulgaria at the Qualifications to European Championships 2017 last year. His stats at that event were 4 games: 7.0ppg, 3.0rpg, 1.5apg, 1.5spg, FGP: 53.8%, 3PT: 28.6%, FT: 50.0%.Kostov has played also professionally in Austria (Gussing Knights), Greece (Iraklis, Kavala and G.Larissa-Faros) and Bulgaria (Levski and Lukoil Academic Sofia).Let's have closer look into His outlook:
The Bulgarian guard comes from a different century as his scoring abilities, reminds easily an Oscar Smits or Nikos Gallis. Kostov has many a ways to deliver the ball in the basket, he is a gluttonous player capable of adding points in virtually any imaginable way that the game allows him to. His percentages from the floor are amazingly good. Kostov has just decent size and average athleticism for a wing. What makes him a unique player is his incredible collection of abilities to put the ball in the basket. Shooting, dunking, slashing, even posting up his defender, he plays all over the court. He can "liberate" his jumper from any place, in any sort of fashion. He finishes around the hoop with both hands and a great variety of lay-ups.
Outlook (2007):
The Bulgarian guard is very, he out sprints many of his rivals who are much "bigger" names than he is, in fast breaks with dribbling the ball. He is a superb scorer (one of the best of his age) he can score from everywhere on the court. He can score in the paint with the same easiness than outside the arc and from 5 meters He ahs a very quick jump shot which makes it difficult to block. He has very good first step which allows him to be always to be some meters faster than his opponent. He can score on the drive against defense even though his penetration skills are not as positive resulted as his amazing shots.; he is using very often used several picks to get open shots as he is much better in shooting than in the driving.
In his weaknesses is the fact that he has quite low percentage from the charity line as he has around 60%, a guy that can score the most amazing three pointer! In the last European championship which took place in Nova Gorica and Gorizia in Slovenia and Italy he averages 18.3ppg, 6.6rpg, 1.5apg and 1.8spg but he had only 52.9% in the free throws.. Good prospect for the European courts.
Outlook (2007):
The Bulgarian combo guard is among the top prospects of the Bulgarian basketball. He has tremendous Basketball IQ and can play with the same level of easiness the point and the shooting guard positions, he has very big repertoire in scoring as he can penetrate (has very strong first step), can shoot from the parameter and can stop and jump shot with very difficult, to be blocked, angle in the ball. He is very coachable and very focus on the sport and very serious too, Kostov together with Zahariev are probably the two most 'wanted' Bulgarian players in their country. Chavdor is definitely a college material at this stage.

Cherno More Ticha (NBL) agreed terms with 30-year old ex-international point guard Plamen Aleksiev (180-77kg-87). It is actually his comeback to Cherno More as he has played here before. Aleksiev played last season at Beroe (NBL). In 27 games he had 6.4ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.0apg. He helped them to win the cup and make to league final. Quite impressive season as he was named to Bulgarian League All-Star Game. Aleksiev also played 12 games in Balkan League where he recorded 6.0ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.9apg [read more]

Cherno More Ticha (NBL) agreed terms with 30-year old ex-international point guard Plamen Aleksiev (180-77kg-87). It is actually his comeback to Cherno More as he has played here before. Aleksiev played last season at Beroe (NBL). In 27 games he had 6.4ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.0apg. He helped them to win the cup and make to league final. Quite impressive season as he was named to Bulgarian League All-Star Game. Aleksiev also played 12 games in Balkan League where he recorded 6.0ppg, 1.6rpg and 3.9apg. He contributed to his team winning the Balkan League championship (twice). The previous (15-16) season Aleksiev played at Cherno More. In 18 NBL games he averaged 13.4ppg, 2.9rpg, 5.7apg and 1.2spg. He contributed to his team making it to the Bulgarian Cup Semifinals. It was another spectacular season as he was named to Bulgarian League All-Star Game 3-Point Shootout. Aleksiev was a member of Bulgarian Senior National Team between 2005 and 2011.He has played previously for two other teams: Yambol and Chernomorets.Aleksiev could be described:
Has been for long time the top Bulgarian prospect at the PG. Now, he's finally delivering. Has good court vision, he' s also quick and aggressive on the court, and earns a lot of FT.

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